The big concern coming out of the Lions second preseason game was the status of Morice Norris who suffered a scary injury that required an ambulance transfer to the hospital. Fortunately, the news so far has been positive. Along with Norris, here are all the other injuries I saw during the game with suspected diagnoses.
Morice Norris (4q 14:50) – concussion
Norris took a hard knee to his helmet which appeared to cause immediate loss of consciousness and fencing posture – clear signs of a concussion. A few seconds later, there was seizure activity seen in his legs (and possibly upper body also but that was obscured). Seizures can occur with concussions.
Norris was closer to and facing the Falcons bench which allowed the Falcons medical staff to instantly spot the seizure and rush over. The emergency action plan was activated and Norris was placed on a spine board and transported to the hospital via ambulance. Reports are that he was responsive while on the field which was an early positive sign.
The mechanism of injury would not be typical of a spinal injury or paralysis, but that’s always a concern. The team reported after the game that he had feeling and movement in all extremities. What’s not entirely clear is whether he ever had actually lost any movement in his extremities.
Going forward, Norris will need to be monitored for a while to check for recurring or worsening symptoms. Even if this ends up being “only” a concussion, Norris will likely be out for at least a few weeks and may be placed on IR due to the constellation of symptoms.
Norris’ injury scene was scary and reminiscent of Damar Hamlin’s commotio cortis in 2023 and the Lions Saivion Smith’s temporary paralysis in 2022. While a concussion is a significant injury, we are fortunate as it could have been a lot worse.
Day after updates…. Very good news.
Justin Herron (pregame) – right arm/elbow
Pregame, Herron was spotted leaving the field with a bulky splint on his right elbow and lower arm. These kinds of splints are typically placed when there is a concern for a fracture or unstable dislocation. Herron likely has a significant injury and will be out for a while.
Tom Kennedy (1q 7:41) – chest
Kennedy was slow getting up but stayed in the game. Hoping this is just wind and not a rib injury.
Craig Reynolds (1q 6:19) – chest
Reynolds took a big hit to the torso which may have knocked the wind out of him. A concussion was also a possibility as his head was jostled around. He was able to return to the game and appeared to be fine. Interestingly, this is the second game in a row that he was slow getting up after a possible chest trauma.
Trystan Colon (2q 11:07) – right elbow
Video of the injury suggests he got banged in the elbow area. The exam seemed benign and Colon was pretty comfortable using the right arm to get up. I didn’t see him return to the game, but am not too concerned here. He may have just hit his funny bone which we can all empathize with.
Kayode Awosika (2q 9:40) – left MCL/high ankle
Video showed him getting rolled up on and then grabbing at his left knee area. An MCL and/or high ankle sprain are possible. He left the game for a while but returned for a field goal in the 3rd quarter which suggests he’s fine. It’s still possible he might miss some time depending on severity.
Colby Sorsdal (2q 5:27) – left leg
Video was obscured, but his left leg was bothering him after this play. It’s possible he tweaked his ankle or knee. He was limping the rest of the drive but was able to finish it which was reassuring.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions preseason game vs. Atlanta: Postgame injury report
Reporting by Jimmy Liao, MD, Lions Wire / Lions Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
